• BUY
n. 1. 1903 Amer. police & criminals’ sl. – a purchase of stolen or illicit goods, esp. narcotics
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
vb. 1. 1926 sl. – to accept as satisfactory or true; to approve or believe
vb. 2. 1932 Amer. sl. – to cause or bring about for oneself; to inflict upon oneself
vb. 3. 1938 Amer. sl. – to be charged for as a result of damaging, losing, etc.
• BUY A BRUSH
vb. 1699 sl. – to burst away with a rush, to move off abruptly, to be gone, to decamp, to make off
• BUY A CAT IN THE SACK
vb. c1380 obs. – to buy an article without first inspecting it
• BUY A DRINK
vb. 1940s US sl. – to pour a drink
• BUY A FARM
vb. 1956 Amer. sl., esp. US Air Force usage – of a pilot or airplane: to crash
• BUYAL
n. 1612 obs. rare – the act of buying; purchase
• BUY A PIECE OF THE GROUND
vb. 1968 Amer. dial. – to be bucked off a horse
• BUY A PIG IN A POKE
vb. 1555 – to buy something without prior inspection
• BUY A PLOT
vb. 1954 Amer. sl., esp. US Air Force usage – of a pilot or airplane: to crash
• BUY A PUP
vb. 20C sl. – to be deceived, esp. in business or financial transactions
• BUY A SALAD
vb. 1990s W. Indies sl. – to be rendered stupid
• BUY AT DEAR HAND
vb. B1900 Eng. dial. – to buy in small quantities at retail prices
• BUY A TICKET
vb. 1. L19 sl. – to die
vb. 2. 1970s sl. – to trust, to tolerate, to accept someone’s statements
vb. 3. 1980s sl. – to call someone’s bluff
• BUY A TRUNK
vb. 1934 Amer. Western usage – to abscond or depart, esp. permanently; to leave the country
• BUY A WOLF TICKET
vb. 1980s African-American sl. – to capitulate to verbal intimidation
• BUY A WOOF TICKET
vb. 1980s African-American sl. – to capitulate to verbal intimidation
• BUY COTTON
vb. 1960 Amer. dial. – to do nothing
• BUYER
n. 20C UK sl., criminals’ & police usage – a receiver of stolen goods
• BUYER’S REMORSE
n. 1966 – a feeling of regret experienced after making a purchase, typically one regarded as unnecessary or too expensive
• BUY INTO
vb. 1910s sl. – to a accept, to believe
• BUY IT
vb. 1. 1825 sl. – to suffer a serious reverse; to get into a finishing situation
vb. 2. 1920 sl. – to be killed; also, to die
vb. 3. 1920s sl. – of an inanimate object: to be broken or destroyed
• BUY NEW SHOES
vb. 1920s US sl. – to jump bail
• BUY ONE
vb. 1929 Amer. sl., orig. military aviation usage – to be killed, as in air combat
• BUY ONE’S BOOTS IN CROOKED LANE AND ONE’S STOCKINGS IN BANDY-LEGGED WALK
vb. L18 sl. – to have bandy legs
• BUY ONE’S WOOF TICKET
vb. Bk2006 US sl. – to challenge someone’s boast or taunt
• BUY ON THE NEVER TICK
vb. 1920s sl. – to buy on credit
• BUY OUT
vb. 1950s US sl. – to escape, to avoid a predicament
• BUY REAL ESTATE
vb. 1977 Amer. military sl. – to be killed
• BUY SOMEONE A HAT
vb. 1910s US euphemism – to bribe someone
• BUY SOMEONE’S THIRST
vb. L19 sl., orig. US – to pay for someone’s drink
• BUY THE BABY NEW SHOES
vb. 20C US sl. – to act in a purposeful manner
• BUY THE BABY SHOES
vb. 20C US sl. – to act in a purposeful manner
• BUY THE BIG ONE
vb. 1980s US sl. – to die
• BUY THE DICK
vb. 1970 US sl. – to get into trouble; to get hurt; to die
• BUY THE FARM
vb. 1. 1955 Amer. sl., esp. US Air Force usage – of a pilot or airplane: to crash
vb. 2. 1958 Amer. sl., orig. military usage – to be killed; hence, to die
vb. 3. 1961 Amer. sl. – to get into a disastrous situation
• BUY THE LOT
vb. 1970 Amer. sl., orig. military usage – to be killed; hence, to die
• BUY THE RABBIT
vb. 1. 1807 sl. rare – to be unsuccessful or have misfortune; to get the worst of a deal, to fare badly
vb. 2. 1825 sl. – to be worsted; to be made to suffer
• BUY THE RANCH
vb. 1963 sl., orig. services’ usage, denoting being killed in action – to be killed; to die
• BUY THE REAL ESTATE
vb. 1977 Amer. military sl. – to be killed
• BUY THE RING
vb. 1980s sl. – to perform anal intercourse
• BUY THE SACK
vb. c1720 sl. – to become tipsy; to get drunk
• BUY THE SHOP
vb. 1954 Amer. sl., esp. US Air Force usage – of a pilot or airplane: to crash
• BUY THE WAD
vb. 1968 Amer. sl. – to be inflicted with the worst; to suffer whatever is worst
• BUY-UP
n. 1980s Aust. prison sl. – a prisoner’s weekly allowance and the purchases they make
• BUY UP AN ORCHARD
vb. 1971 Amer. trucking sl. – to have a serious road accident
• BUZ
n. 1. E18 sl. – a pickpocket
n. 2. L18 sl. – the picking of pockets
n. 3. 1950s US criminals’ sl. – purse-snatching
vb. 1. E18 sl. – to drain a glass or bottle; occasionally, to share the last bottle of wine equally among all drinkers, when there is not enough for a whole glass each
vb. 2. L18 sl. – to pick pockets
vb. 3. L19 sl. – to cheat
vb. 4. Bk1902 thieves’ sl. – to see, to watch; to spy
vb. 5. 1910s Aust. & US tramps’ sl. – to beg
vb. 6. 1950s US criminals’ sl. – to work as a purse-snatcher
• BUZ-BLOAK
n. M19 UK criminals’ sl. – a pickpocket who specializes in loose cash and purses, as opposed to jewellery or handkerchiefs
• BUZ-COVE
n. E19 UK criminals’ sl. – a pickpocket
• BUZ-FAKER
n. 19C sl. – a pickpocket, esp. one who makes the victims drunk before robbing them
• BUZ-FAKING
n. E19 sl. – picking pockets
• BUZ-GLOAK
n. 1819 thieves’ sl. – a pickpocket
• BUZHIE
adj. Bk2006 US sl. – middle-class
n. Bk2006 US sl. – a middle-class person
• BUZ-KNACKER
n. M19 sl. – a trainer of young pickpockets
• BUZ-MAN
n. 1. 1832 thieves’ sl. – a pickpocket
n. 2. Bk1902 sl. – a police spy; an informer
• BUZ-WIG
n. M19 sl. – a pompous fool
• BUZWUZ
n. L19 sl. – nonsense
• BUZZ
n. 1. 1612 – a prevailing rumour
n. 2. a1616 obs. – a groundless fancy, a whim
n. 3. 1628 – busy activity; stir
n. 4. E18 sl. – a thief
n. 5. E18 sl. – a pickpocket
n. 6. L18 sl. – the picking of pockets
n. 7. 1849 Amer. sl. – a feeling of mild intoxication, as from liquor or drugs
n. 8. 1929 Amer. sl. – a quizzing; an interviewing with an ulterior purpose, as by a criminal or a police officer
n. 9. 1930 Amer. sl. – chatter, conversation
n. 10. 1930 Amer. colloq. – a telephone call
n. 11. 1930s US criminals’ sl. – a warning
n. 12. 1930s US sl. – a call on an intercom
n. 13. 1937 sl., orig. US – a feeling of excitement or euphoria, esp. one induced by a stimulant; a thrill, a ‘kick’
n. 14. 1950 Amer. dial. – a kiss
n. 15. 1950 Amer. dial. – a nickname for a brother
n. 16. 1950s US criminals’ sl. – purse-snatching
n. 17. 1970s sl. – any form of sensation, good or bad
n. 18. 1970s sl. – nonsense
n. 19. 1970s drug culture sl. – phencyclidine
n. 20. 1977 Amer. sl. – a close haircut given with electric clippers
vb. 1. 1555 arch. – to speak indistinctly; to mutter, to murmur busily
vb. 2. 1583 arch. – to tell in a low murmur or whisper; to communicate privately and busily
vb. 3. 1616 – to spread as a rumour, with whispering or busy talk
vb. 4. 1785 – to drink to the last drop in the bottle
vb. 5. 1789 criminals’ sl. – to rob a person, as by pickpocketing or purse-snatching
vb. 6. E18 sl. – to drain a glass or bottle; occasionally, to share the last bottle of wine equally among all drinkers, when there is not enough for a whole glass each
vb. 7. 1866 Amer. sl. – to chat with, esp. in a cajoling or flirtatious manner; hence to court; also, to accost or proposition
vb. 8. 1871 Amer. sl. – to question a person; to interview
vb. 9. 1893 colloq. – to throw swiftly or forcibly
vb. 10. 1899 Amer. sl. – to talk
vb. 11. L19 US sl. – to scold, to tell off
vb. 12. L19 sl. – to cheat
vb. 13. 1906 colloq. – to be lively, busy, or exciting
vb. 14. 1906 colloq. – to telephone or to use an intercom
vb. 15. 1917 Amer. hobo sl. – to solicit handouts from a person or on a street; to beg from
vb. 16. 1920s sl. – to happen
vb. 17. 1925 sl. – to go off or away quickly; to leave
vb. 18. 1927 sl. – of a person: to be in a state of stimulation or excitement; to be intoxicated or ‘high’, esp. on drugs
vb. 19. 1928 Amer. dial. – to court, to have a date
vb. 20. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to go fast
vb. 21. 1944 Amer. sl. – to fly a plane very low over a building, field, etc.
vb. 22. Bk1947 Amer. sl. – to kiss
vb. 23. 1950s sl. – to make, to prepare, to put on
vb. 24. 1950s sl. – to become lively, energetic; esp. of the atmosphere at a party or the performance of a rock band
vb. 25. 1952 Amer. sl. – to annoy, to irritate
vb. 26. 1960s US teen sl. – to drive around town in one’s car, looking for amusement
vb. 27. 1960s teen sl. – to become excited
vb. 28. 2000s US sl. – to fail to stop at a red traffic light
• BUZZA
vb. L18 sl. – to challenge someone to empty what remains of a bottle into their glass and then to drink it all down
• BUZZA?
int. 20C teen & high school sl. – what’s up?
• BUZZ ABOUT
vb. Bk1999 – to bustle about in an annoying manner
• BUZZ ALONG
vb. 1. 1914 Amer. sl. – to depart
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to go fast; to drive rapidly
• BUZZARD
adj. 1592 – senseless, stupid
n. 1. 1377 – a worthless, stupid, or ignorant person
n. 2. 1641 – a foolish or despicable person; a contemptible old man
n. 3. 1834 Amer. sl. – a gold or silver dollar
n. 4. 1845 Amer. jocular usage – a native or resident of Georgia
n. 5. 1871 Amer. sl. – a botched job; a badly-spoiled piece of work
n. 6. 1888 Amer. military usage – a military discharge certificate
n. 7. 1889 US sl. – an oppressive, arrogant person, jealous of rivalry and vindictive
n. 8. 1894 US Navy usage – a naval petty officer
n. 9. 1900s US sl. – a filthy child
n. 10. 1907 Amer. sl. – a worthless horse
n. 11. 1910s US criminals’ sl. – a policeman
n. 12. 1910s US tramps’ sl. – a second-rate thief; one who preys on women
n. 13. 1910s US criminals’ sl. – a beggar, the lowest form of tramp
n. 14. 1914 Amer. army usage – a war correspondent
n. 15. 1925 Amer. army usage – an enemy airplane
n. 16. 1930s US military usage – the eagle worn as insignia by a colonel or naval captain
n. 17. 1937 Amer. jocular usage – an airplane pilot
n. 18. 1941 Amer. military usage – chicken or turkey as served in a mess hall
n. 19. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – the American eagle
n. 20. 1950s sl. – an animal, a creature
n. 21. 1980s sl. – an unattractive woman
• BUZZARD-BAIT
n. 1. 1851 Amer. sl. – a corpse left in the open; hence, a dead or doomed person
n. 2. 1905 Amer. dial. – a thin, sickly animal; an emaciated horse
• BUZZARD-BUSTER
n. 1942 Amer. army usage – a member of an antiaircraft unit
• BUZZARD CHRISTIAN
n. 1942 Amer. dial. – a person who goes to church only for funerals, or only for dinners
• BUZZARD COLONEL
n. 1930s US military usage – a full colonel
• BUZZARD DETAIL
n. 1948 Amer. army usage – a graves-registration detail
• BUZZARD DOLLAR
n. 1889 Amer. finance usage – a silver or gold dollar as opposed to a trade dollar
• BUZZARDISM
n. 1659 – conduct resembling that of the buzzard; cowardice
• BUZZARD LOPE
n. 1952 Amer. dial. – an ungainly running gait
• BUZZARDLY
adj. 1561 obs. – stupid, senseless
• BUZZARD MEAT
n. 1. 1899 Amer. sl. – a corpse left in the open; hence, a dead or doomed person
n. 2. 1932 Amer. sl. – an emaciated horse
n. 3. 1944 Amer. military usage – chicken or turkey
• BUZZARD RELIGION
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – the ‘religion’ practiced by one who goes to church only for funerals
• BUZZARD ROOST
n. 1. 1889 Amer. sl. – a disreputable gathering place or ramshackle building; a dilapidated building
n. 2. 1920 Amer. sl. – an upper balcony in a theatre
• BUZZARD SHIT
n. 1939 Amer. military usage – vile or unappetizing food
• BUZZARD’S ROOST
n. 1. 1889 Amer. sl. – a disreputable gathering place or ramshackle building; a dilapidated building
n. 2. 1965 Amer. dial. – the upper balcony of a theatre
• BUZZARD’S ROW
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – the part of a town where the poorer people, special groups, or foreign groups live
• BUZZARD STORM
n. 1954 Amer. dial. – a period of very cold weather in spring
• BUZZAROON
n. 19C Eng. dial. – an umbrella
• BUZZ AROUND LIKE A BLUE-ARSED FLY
vb. L19 sl. – to be excessively busy, often to the detriment of others; to rush around headlong
• BUZZ BOMB
n. 1. 1940s Amer. sl. – a German World War II V-1 winged robot bomb powered by a ramjet engine
n. 2. 1945 Amer. sl. – a strong cocktail
n. 3. 1980s US drug culture sl. – nitrous oxide
• BUZZ BOOK
n. 1970s Amer. sl. – a best-selling book; a book everyone is talking about
• BUZZ-BOX
n. 1920 sl. – a motorcar
• BUZZ BOY
n. 1944 Amer. military usage – a fighter pilot; a member of an air force; used derisively
• BUZZ BUGGY
n. 1911 Amer. sl. – an automobile, esp. a cheap one
• BUZZ-BUZZ
n. 1. 1908 Amer. sl. – unintelligible or tedious noise, esp. continuous vociferation
n. 2. 1909 Amer. dial. – a car, esp. an old one
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to converse
• BUZZ CRUNCHER
n. 1980s US college sl. – a person or thing that destroys a feeling of euphoria; a killjoy or spoilsport
• BUZZ-CRUSHER
n. 1980s Amer. students’ sl. – someone or something that ruins or dampens one’s pleasure; a killjoy or spoilsport
• BUZZ CUT
n. 1990s Amer. – a cutting off of all or most of the hair
• BUZZED
adj. 1. 1952 Amer. sl. – intoxicated by liquor or drugs
adj. 2. 1996 sl. – excited, thrilled, stimulated
• BUZZED HAIR
n. 1990s Amer. sl. – a cutting off of all or most of the hair
• BUZZED OUT
adj. 1. c1970 Amer. sl. – intoxicated by liquor or drugs
adj. 2. 1980 Amer. sl. – dreamily or eerily out of touch with reality; disoriented, forgetful, dazed
• BUZZED UP
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
• BUZZER
n. 1. 1862 sl. – a pickpocket
n. 2. L19 UK criminals’ sl. – a confidence trickster who fools a shopkeeper into parting with a gold sovereign using sleight of hand and some hidden wax
n. 3. 1914 Amer. sl. – a police or other law-enforcement badge
n. 4. 1918 Amer. army usage – a military discharge certificate
n. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a fast throw
n. 6. 1954 Amer. dial. – a mosquito
n. 7. 1965 Amer. dial. – a kiss
n. 8. 1967 Amer. dial. – a nickname for a brother
n. 9. 1990s sl. – a male homosexual
n. 10. 20C sl. – any form of car
• BUZZER BEATER
n. 1997, orig. US basketball usage – something done, finished or accomplished at the last possible moment before a deadline
• BUZZ-FAKING
n. E19 sl. – picking pockets
• BUZZGLOAK
n. 1819 thieves’ sl. – a pickpocket
• BUZZIE
n. 2000s Irish sl. – a traveller
• BUZZIES
n. 1970s sl. – the female breasts
• BUZZ IN
vb. 1930s Amer. sl. – to arrive, to enter
• BUZZIN’
adj. 1980s Amer. teen sl. – drunk
• BUZZING
adj. 1. 1882 colloq. – lively, exciting, active; busy, popular
adj. 2. 2000s US college sl. – drunk
n. 1819 thieves’ sl. – stealing, esp. picking pockets
• BUZZING ACADEMY
n. Bk1921 sl. – a training school for pickpockets
• BUZZING LAY
n. 1819 thieves’ sl. – stealing, esp. picking pockets
• BUZZ IT
vb. 1950s US sl. – to relax, to stay calm
• BUZZ JOB
n. 1943 Amer. aviation usage – an instance of flying very low so as to frighten or impress persons on the ground
• BUZZ-KILL
n. 1943 Amer. aviation usage – someone or something that ruins or dampens one’s pleasure; a killjoy
int. 1980s US college sl. – an exclamation of disappointment and irritation; too bad! that’s awful!
• BUZZ-KNACKER
n. M19 sl. – a trainer of young pickpockets
• BUZZMAKER
n. Bk1998 sl. – a particularly potent mixed drink, often a shooter
• BUZZMAN
n. 1. 1832 thieves’ sl. – a pickpocket
n. 2. M19 US criminals’ sl. – an informer
• BUZZ NAPPER
n. Bk1890 sl. – a young pickpocket
• BUZZ NAPPER’S ACADEMY
n. Bk1890 sl. – a school in which young thieves are trained to the art
• BUZZ OFF
int. 1. 1925 sl. – go away!
int. 2. 1960 Amer. dial. – shut up!
vb. 1. 1914 sl. – to go away; to leave; to depart
vb. 2. 1914 – to ring off on the telephone
vb. 3. 1967 Amer. sl. – to send someone away curtly
vb. 4. 1970 Amer. dial. – to die
• BUZZOLOGUE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
• BUZZ ON
n. 1948 Amer. sl. – a feeling of mild intoxication, as from liquor or drugs
• BUZZSAW
n. Bk1942 US sl. – a gossip
• BUZZSTOMP
int. 1980s US college sl. – an exclamation of disappointment and irritation; too bad! that’s awful!
n. 1. 1980s US college sl. – an unpleasant experience or event
n. 2. 1980s US college sl. – an unpleasant person, esp. one who ruins a hitherto enjoyable time
• BUZZ STRIPPER
n. 1980s US college sl. – a person or thing that destroys a feeling of euphoria; a killjoy or spoilsport
• BUZZ TAIL
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – a rattlesnake
• BUZZ THE MAIN STEM
vb. L19 sl. – to be along a town’s main street
• BUZZ-WAGON
n. 1903 Amer. jocular usage – an automobile
• BUZZ-WIG
n. 1. 1816 – a large bushy wig
n. 2. 1832 – a person wearing a large bushy wig
• BUZZ WIRE
n. Amer. World War I sl. – a telephone or telegraph line
• BUZZ WOOD
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – to snore
• BUZZWORTHY
adj. 20C Amer. sl. – worthy of attention and gossip
• BUZZY
adj. 1. 1736 sl. – intoxicated; tipsy
adj. 2. L19 sl. – crazy, eccentric
adj. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – bewildered; confused; muddled
adj. 4. 1978 – of a person: excited, euphoric, experiencing a buzz; active, lively, over-stimulated
adj. 5. 1982 – popular, fashionable, much-talked-about
adj. 6. 2000s sl. – thrilling
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – a nickname for a brother
• BUZZY HOUSE
n. 1908 Amer. sl. – an insane asylum
• BVDs
n. 1920s Amer. sl. – underwear, esp. long underwear
• B.V.H.
n. 1990s sl. – the penis (Blue Veined Hooligan)
• BWAI
int. 1. 1990s W. Indies & Black British sl. – an exclamation of excitement or pleasure
int. 2. 1990s W. Indies & Black British sl. – an exclamation of surprise or disdain
n. 1950s W. Indies & Black British sl. – a boy
• B-WAY
n. 1850 Amer. sl. – Broadway, a major avenue in New York City
• B.W.O.C.
n. 1934 Amer. student sl. – a socially prominent college woman; a ‘big woman on campus’
• BWOY
int. 1. 1990s W. Indies & Black British sl. – an exclamation of excitement or pleasure
int. 2. 1990s W. Indies & Black British sl. – an exclamation of surprise or disdain
n. 1950s W. Indies & Black British sl. – a boy
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Lexicophilia 